Update: Earthquake in Myanmar

Ma Ei Thazin has lived with a disability since the age of one, caused by an untreated injury to her right leg due to her family's poverty. She has spent her life adapting, surviving and building a family with her husband and two children.

The earthquake changes everything
When the ground shook and houses collapsed, the fragile systems that supported everyday life also collapsed - especially access to clean water.

Before the earthquake, Ma Ei Thazin Htwe's family, like many others in the area, relied mainly on bottled, purified water delivered from Sagaing city center or Mandalay. But after the earthquake, transportation was severely disrupted, making it almost impossible to get bottled water. With no other choice, they had to drink untreated water directly from the nearby Ayeyarwady River

"We had great difficulty getting drinking water when the earthquake struck. All water delivery services stopped working and there was nowhere safe to get water."

A worried mother
"We had great difficulty getting drinking water when the earthquake struck. All water delivery services stopped and there was nowhere safe to get water. We had no choice but to drink from the river for two or three days," reported Ma Ei Thazin Htwe.

The consequences came quickly. Her four-year-old son developed diarrhea and was ill for almost five days. As the hospitals were closed, Ma Ei Thazin Htwe became very worried.

"As a mother, I couldn't stop worrying about my son. I tried to give him medication with the little knowledge I had, but nothing helped at first. It was a difficult time, but fortunately he recovered after five days."

"As a mother, I couldn't stop worrying about my son."

Helplessness due to a disability
Although organizations eventually began to bring bottled water to the village, Ma Ei Thazin Htwe faced another challenge: her disability prevented her from queuing. She had to rely on her husband and mother to fetch water. "Whenever organizations came, I couldn't reach them. I felt helpless. My husband and mother did everything while I could only wait," she said emotionally.

"I felt helpless. My husband and mother did everything, while I could only wait."

ena helps in Myanmar, for example with water filters
In April, we distributed portable water filters to many families affected by the earthquake, including the family of Ma Ei Thazin Htwe. The aim was to ensure that every household had access to safe drinking water at home, as this was one of the most urgent challenges in the region following the disaster.

"I am very happy that we now have a water filter. The water is clean and it's easy to use - even for someone with a disability like me. I no longer have to worry about my children getting sick," she said happily.

Financial independence through water filters
The water filter not only improved her family's health and daily life, but also reignited their independence. With safe water, Ma Ei Thazin Htwe resumed her small noodle and barbecue bistro in the neighborhood to support her family while her husband's work as a bricklayer remained dormant.

"This water filter gave me the confidence to reopen my business. I can use it to cook the pasta and serve it to my customers with clean water. Now I can earn money and feed my children," she said proudly.

"Access to safe water changes lives. I am deeply grateful to those who donated this filter. It has helped me to protect my children and become independent," she said.

"I am deeply grateful to those who donated this filter."

You can find out more about our aid in Myanmar here.